Fallen Idols?
OK, as I rule I avoid any 'political' comments like the plague. But I feel obliged to comment on a situation that makes me very uncomfortable, as an ex-long -term employee of the Nissan-Renault Alliance, a (naturalised) French citizen and a great admirer of Japan. So here I go, at the risk of Internet flaming...on a subject that seems curiously taboo on social media.
In 1998 I was 28 years old and had already been working for Nissan for 6 years...a Nissan that I loved deeply, but that was slowly but very surely dying. I very reluctantly brushed up my CV and went to find a new job. Then the guy in the photo above came along, together with a small band of colleagues from Renault, and basically saved both my company and my job. Not alone, of course - he was not and is not a superman - but by respecting the deep culture of Nissan and Japan, he succeeded in restoring our pride, harnessing the tremendous creative force of the company, and I was able to continue doing my job and paying my mortgage...
I continued to work for Mr Ghosn (several levels below him, of course) for the next 20 years or so, in Nissan and later in Renault. I met him several times, and always found him polite to a fault. Over the years he was a truly great manager but far from perfect - he made his share of mistakes, like we all do.
I have no idea of whether Mr Ghosn is guilty of the crimes of which he stands accused. I am I am not a lawyer, and in any case we have very little information from his side on which to make a balanced judgement. But as an ex-colleague and fellow French citizen I feel deeply uneasy that he is locked up in a jail cell right now - and has been for over two months - when he has certainly not committed any violent crime. This seems rather harsh punishment, to put it mildly.
The second point on which I feel deep unease is that this situation has now drawn a lot of negative attention from the global media to a country I admire deeply - Japan. I was lucky enough to live there for a year or so thanks to Nissan, and have visited the country on more occasions than I can count. I am truly saddened that a country where honour and kindness are not just words but truly codes that are lived by millions every day, is now under a negative spotlight, with questions being asked about its justice system. I hate to think of Japan 'doubted' or tarnished in the eyes of the world...
Finally, I feel uneasy as a French citizen - not by birth, but by choice. Mr Ghosn is also a French citizen, also by choice. He also happens to be a very rich man; one that has never sought to make friends in the upper echelons of government. I can easily understand that it's difficult, politically speaking, for senior French politicians to take up his cause right now. But the silence is all the same deafening...could the French government not act and say a little more to try to resolve a situation that is bad for all parties involved?
My apologies for such a long tract. I truly hope that the situation can be resolved soon, for the good of Japan, France, my many ex-colleagues and friends in the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance, and last but not least for Mr Ghosn and his family.
OK, flame away, I've said my piece.
Software project manager | Automotive consultant
5 年I came across it a bit late, but great post! I think it is not easy to find a leader in the industry that can be better associated with the term “success” other than Mr. Ghosn. Aside from the "tabloid" type articles written in the last couple of months, he remains one of industry's most influential figures in the last 20 years. I started my career working on the ZOE project and was deeply impressed by the alliance’s vision, particularly with regards to electrification where the RLT - Nissan line-up accounted for more than 50% of the global EV sales at the time. Hopefully he’ll be back!
As a staunch Renault supporter and owner, I appreciate your article and hope that it will help set the record straight about Mr Ghosn
Consultant, product development McKinsey & Company
5 年Glad that Mr Ghosn has been released on bail today - 108 days was far more than enough for what he stands accused of. A step in the right direction.
Electrical / Hardware Engineer
6 年Regardless whether Mr. #Ghosn is guilty or not why has he been put into prison along side convicted murderers and terrorists? I thought one is not guilty until proven. Anyway I heard that Mr Ghosn's health is deteriorating. I fear that we may be losing another Sergio #Marchionne. Auto industry ww about to face another tsunami called "EV revolution". During such times there is very little to gain by putting a man of action like Mr. Ghosn behind bars.
National Director Sonshi Asia International
6 年This will play out badly for Mr Ghosn.